2 weeks

[jacques1]

Well, it is 11:53 and I managed to sleep close to 2 hours.
I tried to sound positive when I posted what a great physiotherapist I had etc
Well, I guess this is the way it is going to be. I could sit in a chair yesterday for a little while comfortably, today I couldn't. I did manage to do my excercises 3 times, ice after but I had this feeling that I have, and I am sure you had. It doesns't seem to be just the knee area swelling, the bottom of my leg does and the top and I still don't have very much feeling on the top of my leg. I am totally stressed right now. I will be contacting my Dr for stronger meds, even if he would say take 2 tylenol 3's.
When I have read others statements "this gave me back my life", I believe them but I, once again, am finding it hard to believe "I" will. Don't misunderstand me. I am almost as uncomfortable as I was the first few days after surgery. I ice often but it doesn't go down much.


I don't know how I am going to cope with my present situation.\
I don't know if anyone remembers me struggling up to the hospital one day and suffered after. Well my sister-in-law passed away, yesterday and I don't know how I am going to be able to be at the wake and funeral for the time it takes. If I sit or stand too long my leg is very uncomfortable. I have been doing things around the house, which is good, but I think my family think my recovery time should be up.

I feel pathetic right now. I need my sleep, I feel teary eyed. I will head on back to bed and be up again 1:30 or 2:00 am and than up for the day at 6:00.

No one has to reply to me,. My conversation seems to be all over the place.
Sorry guys, I just needed something to do and this is what I did, complain, complain, complain. I am going to go and eat my red grapes. They are all ready in a bowl for me .


Deb

 

[aussie]

Hi Deb,

Hang in there. Unfortunately things do change from day to day, as in sitting in a chair then you can't. I've had things change in an hour.

Remember too you not only have your recovery to deal with but a death in the family, takes it's own emotional toll. Be kind to yourself, if you can't go to the funeral, speak up. I wouldn't have been able to attend a funeral and wake at 2 weeks, I was still right in the middle of feeling miserable and thinking it would never get better. Things do get better.

Perhaps if your family doesn't understand the limitations and time frame of recovery, share some of the experiences from here, 2 weeks is so early on.

Kindest regards Deb,

Chris

 

[Josephine]

Yes, that sounds all too familiar - people just do NOT understand the time frames of this surgery. Their sympathy is very short lived, like about 2 weeks! then once you get the staples out - oopsa daisy! 'it's all over now! Whatcha moaning about!'

But it's not even 3 weeks yet and you are in that peak time of feeling that this was not the best idea you ever came up with! Everyone has been there and I expect I will be too! When I do, then you'll be able to come and tell me "This too shall pass"!

 

[calling_all_angels]

Ahh Deb,
Did I tell you that you are the reason I am here? Yes you posted that you
were going to have TKR on the 14th and that was my date too. And I thought
that we would be able to share, and cheer each other on. And even though you were able to get yours done earlier I feel close to you in this.
I am so sorry to hear about your Sister-in-law.
But are you really only being told to take 2 tylenol 3's for pain? I thought my meds
were not enough but, they were better then that. Thanks to the advice given to me
I called and asked for more!! And got it (that is if they come in the mail today) But the thing is I would have never even asked for more if it had not been for my new friends here. I would have just accepted that this was the way it had to be. My new friends told me yesterday that we have to take care of ourselves and not let our family make us feel like we slacking. I have a feeling Deb that you and I are use to letting people run us over. And right now we have to think about only us. I will be here when you need a friend, I am not real smart like a lot of our new friends but, I do know how it feels deep in your soul when you think that you can not go on.
^i^

 

[harleyrider]

Deb, I know just how you feel. Sometime at around 2 weeks I was absolutly misiserable. I remember my wife helping me take a shower, I was in so much pain and I got so depressed I laid on our bed a cried like a baby for half an hr. Then one day I woke up and it was like someone had thrown a switch. The pain and swelling was almost gone.

I'm now at 5 weeks and I got on an airplane last week and conducted a 2 day seminar.

Be patient, take the meds, elevate, and Ice, ice, ice

Mike

 

[jacques1]

Thanks all. It is nice to hear encouragement, especially from people who really understand because they have been there.

Calling ... Thanks. I am watching your posts to see where your at. I didn't realize this was your second knee job.

Harleyrider, I hope I too will be motoring on in a few weeks. This swelling is the pits.
I am usually worse in the evening even though I have iced/elevated etc.

I guess I am like everyone else, I hate being dependant on others and I realized I have not been interested in any of my hobbies because my brain is focused on this darn leg.
My concentration seems to be focused on my leg. I must tell myself "get with the program" and move along, right.

Anyways, thanks to all of you. I feel like I am talking with people I know

Deb

 

[Linda2]

It is normal to be depressed; it is normal to not be able to sleep; it is normal to be obsessed with your new knee. Not only are all these things normal, they are to be expected. You don't have to be harsh with yourself--be kind to yourself and concentrate on your own healing process. It gets better, but it doesn't get better as quickly or as smoothly as we might wish it would.

 

[calling_all_angels]

Deb,
I guess I have confussed everyone again. This is my very 1st TKR. I have had surgery
on my Knees but that is all. I sorry if I did not make that clear. LOL But then that
is just me.
^i^

 

[Rowdy66]

Deb, you sound pretty normal to me and I am sure the others will agree. I didn't find where you said how long ago you had the knee replacement but sounds like you are early days. This surgery takes a lot out of you, nothing at all like the scopes I had prior to BTKR. I was lucky in that I found the forum some months before my surgery, had an OS who did my scopes who actually lived and raised his kids in the same little town where I was raised and we knew people in common which was huge help as we immediately had a connection beyond my knees. He didn't do replacements but was able to recommend a student of his who had a practice here and was considered the best for replacements in the area plus seemed like everyone I spoke to had had one or both knees done so I had a really good idea of what to expect. The books all seemed to give the best case scenario and lets face it we all fall somewhere in the gray areas. Even as prepared as I felt I was for the BTKR I still was shocked at how much it took out of me and how much pain I had post op. Seemed like the pain got a little better everyday though and within a couple of months I began to feel human again. This is my first winter and even the mild temps here in Southern AZ have my knees sore and a bit swollen particularly with all the rain we have had this year. This is a long, slow process and the one good thing is we are all in it together. Never feel like you are being whiny, I know this forum was a life saver for me, particularly when my youngest son was murdered right before my surgery was scheduled and I get really sick and had to postpone the surgery for a month. I think if you go back when you feel better and read some of the older posts you will see that many of us have used the forum for support above and beyond our knees. This is a wonderful group of people and Jo is equally great. I am sorry about your loss and I hope I don't sound cold or uncaring but if there is any way you can not go to the wake I would avoid it if I were you. It will be terribly hard on you, just the stress of this loss is going to take its toll so be good to yourself. You will be surprised how understanding people are when you just tell them the truth. You sound as though you are worn out, undermedicated and in need of a good dose of TLC. Be good to yourself. Rest, keep you leg elevated and ice it several times a day. If you think about what this surgery entails you will surely see what a miracle it is that you are doing as well as you are. I will keep you in my prayers and I sincerely hope you will continue to post your concerns and your progress. One day, sooner than you may think, you will find that you begin to feel better. God be with you. Rowdy

 

[Sandy R]

Deb... I'm 3 months, 2 weeks post-op. At 2 weeks post-op I started outside PT. The PT told me to repeat after her... YOU JUST HAD MAJOR SURGERY! You might consider saying that when someone talks about your recovery! The PT also told me that at 3 months the pain would begin subsiding and at 6 months I would be happy I did the surgery. I do still have some swelling (OS said that could take 6/8 months to completely go away), and I still have some aching, especially when I do too much. But the PT was right about the 3 month mark... I'm sooo much better. It's raining today and I hardly notice a change in my knee. And, I can do everything now... walk upstairs and downstairs normally, drive, etc.

Hang in there, it will get better... and you're not alone, we're all here for you!
Sandy

 

[Gretchendz]

Hey Deb....like others have said...two weeks is VERY early. yes there are a few superstars who run a marathon at four weeks (JUST KIDDING) but most of us are a total. wreck for at least 6-8 weeks after.

I would not try to attend a funeral at 2 weeks myself. I was barely conscious.

With both knees, it was a good 3-4 weeks before I could sit in any chair more than about ten minutes.

If your pain meds are not strong enough, call your OS. if your OS will not give you something stronger, call your general practitioner. Some folks find them more sympathetic.

If your family thinks you should be recovered by now--make them read some of these posts! This is major surgery and it takes a good 6 weeks just to recover from the general effects. You should NOT be doing lots (or much) around the house, especially if you are hurting. If they still don't believe you, make them watch a few of the YouTube videos showing what was done to you.

You are NORMAL...and it will get better--I promise.